Lower prices for patient transport: Drôme and Ardèche taxis demonstrate

Snail operations and blockages…the taxis are demonstrating this Monday morning. A hundred people from Drôme and Ardéchois take part in a snail operation on the A7 motorway. In the region, the objective of professionals is to paralyze Lyon. Taxi companies denounce the decision of health insurance which wants to lower fares when it comes to transporting patients and the obligation to share vehicles with several patients.

According to the protesters, the shortfall would be very significant. “There must be around 500 taxis this morning” tells France Bleu Drôme Ardèche Abdé, taxi driver in greater Valence. “We are driving towards Saint-Fons to filter access to Lyon hospitals. The new health insurance agreement still under negotiation provides for lower transport prices and waiting times when taking a patient to Lyon, what we call slow walking, well it disappears. If we get stuck in traffic, we don't get paid. We would be paid per kilometer, basta“The Drôme driver continues.”In total, on a trip to Lyon, you should count on 30 to 40% less on the bill. If we are not heard today, our action will be continued tomorrow and the day after tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday)”.